The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Video referee called into play twice as Spain win in France
Video replays took centre stage as Spain beat France 2-0 in a friendly at the Stade de France.
German referee Felix Zwayer made full use of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system being trialled by Fifa as an opening goal for the hosts was disallowed for offside, while an incorrect flag against Gerard Deulofeu for Spain’s second strike was overturned.
Les Bleus saw a close-range header from Antoine Griezmann at the start of the second half ruled out by the VAR before Spain took the lead from the penalty spot in the 68th minute through David Silva.
The VAR was required again with 12 minutes left after Deulofeu scored with a low shot.
The flag went up from the assistant referee for offside, but after a delay while replays were checked, the goal stood.
There was no such drama at the Amsterdam ArenA, where Italy beat Holland 2-1 in the first match since the sacking of Oranje coach Danny Blind.
In Dublin a first half free-kick from Hordur Magnusson gave Iceland a 1-0 victory over the Republic of Ireland.
A much-changed Ireland team only found their feet after the break and even then did not create enough to stand a chance of avoiding a first defeat at the Aviva Stadium in three years.
Cristiano Ronaldo opened the scoring but could not prevent Portugal losing 3-2 to Sweden in his home town of Funchal in Madeira following a late owngoal from Joao Cancelo.
World Cup hosts Russia came from 3-1 down to snatch a draw with Belgium in Sochi, where Crystal Palace forward Christian Benteke scored twice.